ABSTRACT
[structure: see text] The unusual [5.3.2]-bicyclic structure of the insecticidal Amaryllidaceae alkaloids cripowellin A (1) and B (2) has been synthesized for the first time via a sequence of Sharpless dihydroxylation, ring-closing metathesis, and intramolecular Heck reaction. The asymmetric synthesis of the 1-epi-aglycon 82 proceeds with virtually complete diastereo- and enantioselectivity (de, ee > or = 98%) in 13 steps and an overall yield of 5.6%. In addition, three alternative approaches toward the aglycon 3 are also described focusing on (1) the alkylation of the 2-benzazepinedithianes 35 and 36 with the electrophile 11, (2) a radical cyclization of the precursor (R/S,S,S)-39, and (3) an intramolecular arylation reaction of the aryl ketone 47.
Subject(s)
Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids/chemical synthesis , Alkaloids/chemical synthesis , Alkylation , Cyclization , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
Nature employs dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) as the donor component in various enzyme-catalyzed aldol reactions. Probably the most significant example in this regard is photosynthesis, in which D-glucose, the most widespread natural product, is formed in just a few steps from DHAP. In recent years a number of synthetic equivalents of DHAP have been reported that deserve particular attention, as their applicability in organic synthesis is not limited to (stereoselective) aldol reactions. The power of these reagents has also been demonstrated convincingly in numerous other asymmetric electrophilic alpha-substitution reactions in target-oriented syntheses. Furthermore, the related 1,3-dioxins are useful equivalents of 2-substituted acrolein derivatives.